GSMN-TB: a web-based genome-scale network model of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycobacterium tuberculosis</Emphasis>metabolism

Background  

An impediment to the rational development of novel drugs against tuberculosis (TB) is a general paucity of knowledge concerning the metabolism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, particularly during infection. Constraint-based modeling provides a novel approach to investigating microbial metabolism but has not yet been applied to genome-scale modeling of M. tuberculosis.     

Racemization mechanism of lithium tert-butylphenylphosphido-borane: A kinetic insight

The racemization mechanism of tert-butylphenylphosphido-borane is investigated experimentally and theoretically. Based on this converging approach, it is shown, first, that several phosphido-borane molecular species coexist at the time of the reaction and, second, that one particular of both initially assumed reactive routes most significantly contribute to the overall racemization process. From our converging modeling and experimental measurement, it comes out that the most probable species to be here encountered is a phosphido-borane-Li (THF)₂ neutral solvate, whose P-stereogenic center monomolecular inversion through a Y-shaped transition structure (Δ_rG°^≠: 81 kJ mol^?1) brings the largest contribution to the racemization process.     

Long-term effects of graduated compression stockings on cardiorespiratory performance

The use of graduated compression stockings (GCS) in sport has been increasing in the last years due to their potential positive effects for athletes. However, there is little evidence to support whether these types of garments actually improve cardiorespiratory performance. The aim of this study was to examine the cardiorespiratory responses of GCS during running after three weeks of regular use. Twenty recreational runners performed three tests on different days: test 1) – a 5-min maximal effort run in order to determine the participants’ maximal aerobic speed; and tests 2) and 3) – a fatigue running test of 30 minutes at 80% of their maximal aerobic speed with either GCS or PLACEBO stockings at random. Cardiorespiratory parameters (minute ventilation, heart rate, relative oxygen consumption, relative carbon dioxide production, ventilatory equivalents for oxygen and carbon dioxide, and oxygen pulse) were measured. Before each test in the laboratory, the participants trained with the randomly assigned stockings (GCS or PLACEBO) for three weeks. No significant differences between GCS and PLACEBO were found in any of the cardiorespiratory parameters. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence that running with GCS for three weeks does not influence cardiorespiratory parameters in recreational runners.     

Genetic characterization of Uruguayan Pampa Rocha pigs with microsatellite markers

In this study, we genetically characterized the Uruguayan pig breed Pampa Rocha. Genetic variability was assessed by analyzing a panel of 25 microsatellite markers from a sample of 39 individuals. Pampa Rocha pigs showed high genetic variability with observed and expected heterozygosities of 0.583 and 0.603, respectively. The mean number of alleles was 5.72. Twenty-four markers were polymorphic, with 95.8% of them in Hardy Weinberg equilibrium. The level of endogamy was low (F_IS = 0.0475). A factorial analysis of correspondence was used to assess the genetic differences between Pampa Rocha and other pig breeds; genetic distances were calculated, and a tree was designed to reflect the distance matrix. Individuals were also allocated into clusters. This analysis showed that the Pampa Rocha breed was separated from the other breeds along the first and second axes. The neighbour-joining tree generated by the genetic distances D_A showed clustering of Pampa Rocha with the Meishan breed. The allocation of individuals to clusters showed a clear separation of Pampa Rocha pigs. These results provide insights into the genetic variability of Pampa Rocha pigs and indicate that this breed is a well-defined genetic entity.     

Evidence for selection on synonymous mutations affecting stability of mRNA secondary structure in mammals

Background  

In mammals, contrary to what is usually assumed, recent evidence suggests that synonymous mutations may not be selectively neutral. This position has proven contentious, not least because of the absence of a viable mechanism. Here we test whether synonymous mutations might be under selection owing to their effects on the thermodynamic stability of mRNA, mediated by changes in secondary structure.     

血管内皮祖细胞与糖尿病微血管病变研究进展

糖尿病微血管病变严重影响了患者生活质量,是患者致死致残主要原因。微血管病变主要表现在视网膜、肾、神经、心肌组织。微血管病变的机制尚未完全清楚,近年越来越多研究发现血管内皮祖细胞(endothelial progenitor cells,EPCs)是该病发病重要原因。EPCs有分化为成熟的内皮细胞并且参与新血管形成和新生的能力。正常情况下内皮损失和EPCs对内皮的修复作用处于动态平衡状态,一旦EPCs受损,内皮损害和修复之间的平衡被打破,内皮层的完整性遭到破坏,必然参与糖尿病血管病变的发生发展。国内外大量研究证明糖尿病合并大血管病变EPCs数目功能改变,而糖尿病合并微血管病变EPCs的怎样变化?本文就EPCs与糖尿病微血管病变的关系进行系统综述。     

Cooperative Use of VCD and XRD for the Determination of Tetrahydrobenzoisoquinolines Absolute Configuration: A Reliable Proof of Memory of Chirality and Retention of Configuration in Enediyne Rearrangements

The absolute configurations (AC) of azaheterocylic compounds resulting from the cascade rearrangement of enediynes involving only light atoms were unambiguously assigned by the joint use of vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) and copper radiation single crystal X‐ray diffraction (XRD). These AC determinations proved that the rearrangements of enediynes proceeded with memory of chirality and retention of configuration. Chirality 25:832–839, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Effects of citronella oil (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt ex Bor) on Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) midgut and fat body

The armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is the principal pest of corn in Brazil. Control is achieved primarily by synthetic insecticides, which cause problems for the agro-ecosystem. Alternative methods of control are under investigation and citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus) essential oil appears to be a promising agent. We investigated the effects of citronella oil using histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. The midgut of larvae treated with citronella exhibited altered epithelium including cytoplasmic protrusions, columnar cell extrusion, pyknotic nuclei, and increased periodic acid-Schiff positive granules. Regenerative cells in the epithelium of the midgut increased in number, which facilitated subsequent regeneration of this tissue. After exposure to citronella, trophocytes, the principal cell type of the fat body, possessed enlarged vacuoles and mitotic bodies, and contained reduced amounts of glycogen, lipid, and protein. Citronella oil caused morphological changes of the midgut and reduction of stored resources in the fat body, which may adversely affect insect reproduction and survival.     

Absolute Configuration Determination of Azulenyl Diols Isolated From Asymmetric Pinacol Coupling

A convenient enantioselective approach for the pinacol coupling of 1‐acetylazulene involving easily accessible (R)‐ or (S)‐BINOLs as chiral additive is reported. This supposes the preformation of the chiral titanium–BINOL complex in 1:2 ratio and subsequent reduction with zinc when, 2,3‐di(azulen‐1‐yl)butane‐2,3‐diol can be isolated in around 60% enantiomeric excess. The absolute configuration of the isolated enantiomers was assigned by comparison of the experimental and Boltzmann‐weighted calculated VCD and ECD spectra and assigned as (+)‐(2S;3S)‐di(azulen‐1‐yl)butane‐2,3‐diol. Chirality 27:826–834, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Effects of Piper hispidinervum on spermatogenesis and histochemistry of ovarioles of Spodoptera frugiperda

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), not only damages crops, but controlling its population also requires synthetic insecticides, which leads to selection of resistant populations and environmental contamination. Essential oils are an alternative for controlling this insect. There are few studies of the effects of these oils on the insect's reproductive system. We evaluated the effects of the long pepper, Piper hispidinervum, essential oil on the gonads of the armyworm and tested its possible influence on the fertility of this insect. Dosages of 30 and 50 mg/ml were tested in 3^rd instar caterpillars using the leaf immersion method. Testes and ovarioles were collected, fixed with 10% formalin and embedded in Historesin. The sections were stained with toluidine blue and Mallory trichrome to detect connective tissue, periodic acid-Schiff to detect neutral carbohydrates, and bromophenol blue to detect proteins. We found that the long pepper essential oil affected negatively the spermatogenesis and altered the histochemistry of the ovarioles of S. frugiperda. The effects of long pepper oil suggest that it is a promising tool for controlling the armyworm pest.